Signaling device



UNiTED STATES/PATENT oFi-icEq JAMES A. WOTTON, OF MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK Speccation of Letters Patent.

Application ait-.diane 13, 191e.k serial No. 239,762.

To all whom t may concern; v

Be it known that I, JAMES A.`Wo'r'roN, `a. citizen of the United States, residing at Montclair, in the county off'Essex, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Signaling Devices, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to Y signaling devices and more particularly to electromagnetic signaling devices employed in connection with telephone exchange systems.

In many instances it is desirable to provide an electromagnetic signaling device which may be associated in service with other apparatus located in thcface of a telephone exchange switchboard. In order to obtain the most efficient operating results from the use of a device of this character, it is essential that the size thereof be such that it will occupy a space comparable with that of the coperating apparatus aswell as be adapted for similar` methods of grouping and mounting in theswitchboard framework. However, duel to `the1varying demandsof the service upon'the associated circuits, as well as in order to expedite inspection, repairs and replacements, it is' desirable that each individual device of this nature be readily removable from its mountinv. this character are especially desirable in certain casesvfor positively indicating the disengaged 'condition of trunk circuits iiiterconnecting vtelephone exchange switchboards. v

It is the objectl of this invention to pro-K vide av simple and inexpensive device of this nature which may be readily associated with other apparatus in the telephone exchange switchboards of the usual design, and which provides an effective and efficient signal:

To attain this object, `*in accordance with afeature' ofi-this invention, a suitable mounting is provided in'which a plurality of selfcontained unitary electromagneticl signal-- ing devices of the solenoid type may be removably accommodated. A suitable target or display member carried by the plunger armature is normally adapted to partially protrude through a restricted laperture in a removable'protect'ing cap member placed in the face of the mounting, and is adapted to be effectively retracted therefrom upon the energization of a solenoid winding.

Electromagnetic signaling devices of Thel nature of this invention will more fully appear from the following specification and the annexeddrawing in which one embodiment is shown. In the accompanying drawing, Figure l is a longitudinal view, partially in section, of an individual electromagnetic signalinor device constructed in accordance with on: embodiment of the invention, in its normal unoperated condition; Fig. 2.is a sectional View lof the associated mounting showing a device of this character in position therein and Fig. 3 shows in perspective a plurality of such devices assembled in the mounting, portions of which have been removed tomore clearly show the structure.

The unitary device as shown in Figs. 1

Patented May 24, 1921. Y

and 2 consists of an energizing winding l surrounding the hollow non-magnetic spoolY 2, in onek end of which a core member comprising a .body portion 3 and a pole-piece portion 4 is placed and held in position by an extension 5. engaging a longitudinal opening through an insulating block 7 suitably mounted adjacent the insulating spool head Contact plates 10` and 11, secured to the insulating block? by extensions thereof projecting through transverse openings 13, 13 and extending into the opening 6, may be soldered or otherwise suitably connected to the respective terminating conductors of thewinding 1, through longitudinal openings'14, 14 in the block 7. A suitable protecting cover 15 is provided for the winding.v` A plunger type armature, having a body portion 16 and extensions 17 and 1S bearing non-magnetic rings 19 and 20 firmly secured thereto and abutting the shoulders formed by the body portion, is adapted to operate within the'spool 2. A face plate member 2l having anaperture 22 therethrough for the passage of the extension 18 is securely attached to the spool 2 ad- ]acent the insulating spool head 9 by means of-clamping details 23, 23 of the retaining member 24s. A spring member 25 inserted between and bearing against ring 19 and the shoulder of therbody portion 3, and surrounding the pole-piece 4;' andthe extension 17, is adapted to normally force ring 2O against the rear surface of the plate 21, but will permit a predeterminedmoveplay member 26 is suitably secured to the free end of the extension 18. member 26 shown has been found to be particularly desirable since it provides a striking appearance readily discernible if observed by the operator from any view point when in its normal position and is quickly and effectively obscured upon its retraction.

As shown in Figs. 2and 3 a supporting framework for mounting a plurality or series of the unitary signaling devices comprises a face strip or portion 27 provided with a number of rearwardly shouldered apertures 28. Rearwardly extending end portions 29, 29 are provided with suitable lugs 30, 30 for attaching the` mounting to the associated switchboard framework. By means of screws 83 engaging the ends thereto, a mounting bar 81 of a contact spring bank is secured to the end portions 29, 29. Upon the bar 31 and separated therefrom by insulating strips 32, 32, pairs of contact springs 34, 35 adapted to engage contact plates 10 and 11 are mounted, and secured thereto by means of bolts 36 carrying insulating Vwashers 37, 37, extending through apertures in members 32 and 31 and engaging nuts 38. i

At a point intermediate the face strip and the contact spring bank, a supporting member 39 is secured to the end portions 29, 29. Apertures 40 corresponding in number and alinement with apertures 28 are provided in the member 39. However, these apertures are enlarged near the front surfaces of the member to provide therein annular shoulders in opposition to those'of apertures 28. Cylindrical casings of magnetic material 41 are jointly supported by the face strip 27 and the supporting member 39 by engaging the enlarged portions of the apertures 28 and 40 respectively in such members. These casings inclose the unitary electromagnetic devices when in position, providing therefor magnetic paths of low reluctance and serving to magnetically isolate the individual devices. rlqhe longitudinal movement of the casings 41` is effectively prevented by the annular shoulders within the apertures 28 and 40.

The apertures 28 in the face strip 27 are partially closed by the protecting caps 42 inserted from the front of the mounting and removably secured in position by detents .43 in the walls thereof resiliently engaging vertical apertures 44 in the face strip 2. Apertures 45 of a diameter which permits an effective exposure of the targets 26 when .-in their normal positions, but facilitates l their obscuration upon retraction, are provided in the caps 42.

The conoidal lVhen the winding 1 is energized, the polepiece 4 attracts the armature assembly, compressing the spring member 25 and withdrawing the target member 26 from the aperture 45 until it is effectively retired. Upon the deenergizationY of the winding 1, the armature, when released from the attraction of the pole-piece 4, is thrust forward by the expansion of spring member 25 until the portion of the target member 26 protruding through' the' aperture 45 is suiiicient to be readily discernible from any angle.

The unitary electromagnetic device may be readily removed from the mounting for inspection or for other purposes, without interfering with the other devices associated on the same mounting, by the removal of the associated cap42, the resiliency of the wall of the cap being such that the detent 43 may be readily disengaged from the aperture 44. The device as shown in F ig. 1 may then be `withdrawn from the casing 41 and by the consequent disengagement of the contact plates 10 and 11 from the contact springs 34 and 35 respectively it is also disengaged from the circuit with which it may have been associated.

It will be evident that the operation of the armature being substantially independent of the forces of gravity, the device may be employed in many other. positions in addition `to that shown.

What is claimed is:

1. In a visual signal device, a face member provided with a circular aperture, a conoidal target member normally adapted to partially protrude through the aperture of said face member, and electromagnetic means to withdraw said target member from said aperture. i

2. In a visual signal device, a face member provided with a circular aperture; a conoidal target member having a base diameter larger than the diameter of the circular aperture, and normally adapted to protrudeat its pointed end, through the aperture in said face member; vand electromagnet means to withdraw saidtarget from said aperture.

3. In a visual signal device, a face member provided with a circular aperture, a conoidal target member normally adapted to partially protrude through the aperture of said face member, and an electromagnetically oper'- ated plunger supporting said target member and adapted to withdraw said target member from saidV aperture in a direction erpendicular to the face of said face mem er.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 7 th day of June, A. D. 1918.

JAMES A. WOTTON. 

